PUNE: Buying tomatoes will now burn a hole in Puneites’ pockets, as its prices have increased to Rs 50- Rs 60 per kg in last eight days. Price of this essential kitchen ingredient has increased by at least Rs 20 in past few days.
Apart from tomatoes, prices of cabbage have also increased to Rs 60 per kg. However, prices of other veggies such as Okra, Ridge Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Ivy Gourd continue to be stable at Rs 80 per kg since last one month.
According to Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the prices have increased due to a reduction in the supply of tomatoes. APMC Vegetable and Fruit Head, Baba Bibwe said, “The supply of tomatoes have reduced to 40 per cent as compared to last week due to heavy rains. Last week, the supply of tomatoes was around 2,089 quintals while today there is supply of 1,252 quintals. Prices have also increased from Rs 16 to Rs 30 per kg.”
“The supply of cabbage has also reduced up to 30 to 40 per cent, due to which its prices have increased to Rs 25 per kg,” added Bibwe.
Sanjay Gurjar, a vendor in Mahatama Phule Mandai, said, “The prices of tomatoes have increased in last eight days as there is less supply. Earlier the prices of tomatoes were around Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg which has increased up to Rs 60 to Rs 80.”
“Due to continuous rain, a lot of produce got damaged. Therefore, the supply of tomatoes have reduced in the market and there is not enough good quality produce,” said Sweekar Badhe, tomato farmer.
“Due to excessive rain, tomatoes get destroyed, resulting in the low supply. New plantation is done but it will take another 15-20 days for harvesting, following which supply will increase. It is also the same case with cabbage, as there is still time for new produce to come in the market while the earlier produce is destroyed,” said Vegetable Growers Association of India President Shriram Gadhave.
